Side Effects and Risks of Angiogram:

An angiogram is an invasive test, so it is not without risk. There is a very small risk of the catheter damaging your artery or loosening a piece of plaque lining the artery wall. This loose piece of plaque can travel up the artery into the brain and could block blood flow causing a stroke.

Some people are sensitive to the contrast agent used. The most common side effects from the iodine contrast are a brief metallic taste in your mouth and a feeling of warmth throughout your body.

An extremely rare reaction occurs when you experience severe hives and have difficulty breathing. Medications such as antihistamines can reverse this reaction. If you have diabetes or kidney problems you may experience kidney failure, but this too is extremely rare.

Be sure to tell you doctor if you are pregnant or have a history of allergies (to medications, previous iodine injections, or shellfish), diabetes, asthma, a heart condition, kidney problems, or thyroid conditions. Also tell them if you take any blood thinning medication such as aspirin, clopidogrel (plavix) or Coumadin.